FIBA Finally Allows Competitors To Wear Headscarves

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) now allows athletes to wear headscarves for religious purposes. On May 4, 2017, the federation announced the new rule that will allow players to wear headscarves as of Oct. 1, 2017. The decision came out after almost two and a half years since FIBA initiated a revision process on its ban on headgear.

They said in a statement that women are allowed to wear headscarves if it’s black or white or the same dominant color as the team’s uniform.The new rule allows Muslim women to wear hijab while competing, as well as it allows athletes from different religions wear their different headgear such as turbans and yarmulkes for Jews.

Several Muslim athletes welcomed this with enthusiasm, including Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir, the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s first female Muslim basketball player, saying that she felt this would happen right after Nike released its Pro Hijab line.

We’re so proud of every woman pushing her efforts for that rule to be out, especially the tireless Bilqis Abdul-Qaader who never lost hope on being a professional basketball player, with her hijab on.